Bulletins

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. Philip Parishes

February 9, 2025

PO Box 35, Seneca WI 54654

Website: https://www.catholicchurchesofncc.com

 

Mass Intentions This Week

Sat

Feb

8

7:00 PM

St. Patrick

+ Heather, Ben, & Simon Kramer (Fr. Tom)

Sun

Feb

9

7:30 AM

St. Patrick

Living & Deceased Members of My Parishes

 

 

 

9:00 AM

St. Mary

+ Ruth Gorman (Bob & Mary Stuckey)

 

 

 

10:30 AM

St. Philip

+ Joanne Gorman Gorance (Fred Tiller)

Mon

Feb

10

8:30 AM

St. Patrick

+ Evelyn & Pat Crowley

Tue

Feb

11

8:30 AM

St. Philip

+ Bernard McCormick (Janet McCormick)

Wed

Feb

12

8:30 AM

St. Patrick

+ All Souls

Thur

Feb

13

8:30 AM

St. Mary

Living & Deceased Members of Arlie & Mary Dull Family  (Bob & Mary Stuckey)

Fri

Feb

14

8:30 AM

St. Patrick

+ Fr. James Logan (Fr. Tom)

Lit

Feb

 

 

 

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sat

Feb

15

7:00 PM

St. Patrick

+ Aladean Dull (John & Bernie Kane)

Sun

Feb

16

7:30 AM

St. Patrick

Blessings for Fr. Tom

 

 

 

9:00 AM

St. Mary

Living & Deceased Members of My Parishes

 

 

 

10:30 AM

St. Philip

+ Clifford & Lorraine Murphy (Tom & Sally Murphy)

Confessions: Usually, 30 minutes before every Mass and by appointment.

 

Monthly Eucharistic Adoration:

* St. Patrick: First Friday after the 8:30 AM Mass

* St. Philip: First Sunday after the 10:30 AM Mass with confessions for 30 minutes.

 

Pastor: Fr. Tom Huff -- frtomhuff@gmail.com St. Patrick's Rectory 608-734-3252

Bookkeeper: Angie Martin -- 608-734-3931 stpatricks.seneca.bookkeeper@gmail.com

Bulletin/Mass Intentions/Membership: Yvonne Hady -- 608 485-2109 hady@centurytel.net

Bulletin Information Deadline: Tuesdays at 4:00 PM. Bulletin is posted on our website.

 

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

Wed., Feb. 12 Adult Faith Study at St. Mary, 7:00 PM

 

Income from Last Week

St. Mary

 

St. Patrick

 

St. Philip

 

Adults

465.00

Adults

623.00

Adults

1,002.00

Plate

127.00

Plate

141.00

Plate

709.25

Candles

138.50

Youth

9.00

Init Offering

3.00

CCHD

50.00

Candles

29.00

CCHD

100.00

 

780.50

CCD Don.

50.00

 

1,814.25

 

 

 

852.00

 

 

catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Collection:

Checks should be made payable to your parish (CCHD on the memo line). Please turn-in your donation this week. Thank you!

 

From the Pastor’s Corner: Is the Fear of God keeping us away from God?

In moments of honesty, we may admit to ourselves that the thought of God can fill us with fear! Just look at today’s readings. Isaiah’s vision, he sees himself unworthy, and cries out that he is ‘lost’. In the Gospel, when Peter sees the miracle Jesus works with the abundant catch of fish, he cries out that Jesus should leave him, as he is aware of his own sinfulness. We might then wonder how the fear of God and His holiness, might dwell within the hearts of many who prefer to keep God, and all things religious, at a safe distance. We might also wonder if such a fear doesn’t exist within our own hearts as well. Do we fear that the very goodness of God will light up those parts of our mortal lives we prefer to remain out of sight or remembrance?

Yet in today's readings fear does not have the last word. God’s words and actions bring about a profound change, turning these people into faithful followers of God. The seraph touches the future prophet’s lips with the burning coal, which symbolizes God’s power to burn away sin and evil and the fear it brings. So, now when Isaiah hears the Lord say, ‘whom shall I send?’, he now has the courage to answer ‘send me’. On the sea of Galilee, Jesus responds to Simon’s request to leave him by telling him plainly not to be afraid as he will now be catching men for the Kingdom of God. There’s no explicit proclamation of divine forgiveness, but that forgiveness is surely implied, removing sin and the fear it brought to Simon's heart.

When a person’s image of God is anchored in fear, he or she is handicapped when it comes to love. They don’t do a very good job at loving God, their neighbors, themselves, or especially their enemies. They might love some; even the world’s greatest sinners still were capable of some degree of loving. But it’s a limited love, a broken love. It’s not grounded in the love that flows to us from God, enabling us to love in a holy and God-like way.

There are all sorts of ways a person might gain a following in this life; by brute force, money, lies, or propaganda. We can see all that from history! What Jesus points towards is something far different; the power of holiness and forgiveness. It is holiness that wins hearts without trapping them. It is forgiveness that allows someone a new start. Holiness and forgiveness replace fear with love and offers an opportunity to have a courageous faith in God.

A spirituality grounded in the love of God is not an “anything goes” spirituality, where rules no longer matter and morality is abandoned. Far from it! But when spirituality and faith are grounded in the love of God rather than the fear of God, then what naturally follows is a morality and a way of life that is likewise grounded in love; from our sexual behavior to our dealings with money to the way we relate to people, our choices and commitments will be anchored in a holy type of love. Which is to say, anchored in compassion, in justice, in mercy, in forgiveness, in peace and joy and kindness. We will still live by an understanding of right and wrong. But we will be motivated by God's love for us and His forgiveness.

 

St. Mary Announcements:

Rosary – 30 minutes before Mass -- St. Mary’s Church is open each day from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the winter months. You are welcome to stop in to pray and/or light a candle for your special intention.

First Sunday Potluck – Potluck brunch after Mass each first Sunday of the month. All are welcome, dish to share is appreciated, but not required. Next potluck is this Sun., Feb. 2.

Finnell Family Update – Baby Gabriel is now over 2 pounds, but will still be in the incubator in the LaCrosse hospital for some time. If you would like to donate towards the Finnell family, please make out the check to Christopher Finnell with an envelope marked Finnell Family and either place it in the collection basket at any of the three parishes or mail the check to Fr. Tom Huff, PO Box 35, Seneca, WI. 54654.

 

St. Patrick Announcements:

Membership Information Needed: In doing the directory, it was noted that several phone numbers and some addresses are not up to date. Please notify Yvonne Hady or Pat Dearth of any needed corrections. As well as, any names that need to be added or removed to update our church records. Thank you!

Gas Card Program: St. Patrick’s Parish has started a fund to provide gas cards to individuals in our community who are going through cancer treatments or other illnesses that require multiple medical visits. If you know of someone dealing with ailments described above, contact any of the following program leaders with suggested names or other questions related to the program. Jeanne Palmer (608) 412-0325, Brenda Ostrander (608) 306-0060, Marilyn Palmer (608) 306-3920. In addition, donations will be accepted at any time to build upon this wonderful act of kindness for years to come. To make a donation, place an envelope in the collection marked ‘Gas Card Program’ (checks can be made out to St. Patrick’s PCCW).

 

St. Philip Announcements:

St. Philip Candles: Contact Bonnie Murphy. The cost is $5 per candle.

 

Divine Mercy:  St. Faustina writes:  I understand souls who are suffering against hope, for I have gone through that fire myself.  But God will not give us anything beyond our strength.  Often have I lived hoping against hope, and have advanced my hope to complete trust in God.  Let that which He has ordained from all ages happen to me. (Diary, pg. 175 #386) Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Marriage Moment: Communication tip #1 again: if a positive and negative message conflict, the negative message is always stronger. (From the other side) That’s why if you compliment your spouse but follow it with a complaint, he’ll focus on the complaint. (Susan Vogt)

 

Parenting Pointers: Valentine’s Day: Although Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day, your young, unmarried child(ren) may be passing around special cards to each other at school. Loving your child is worthy of remembrance. Do something loving for your younger “valentine(s)” today. (Susan Vogt)

 

Tri-Parish Prayer List – We want to pray for the ill and others in our parishes who need ongoing prayer. To be placed on or to place someone on our prayer list, please call:

Sue Peterson 608-735-4865, Bonnie Murphy 608-386-4954, or Ica Boylen 608-734-3287.

 

Betty Raha

Tyrone Beaty

Michael Monehen

Rosanne Feye

David Jacobsen

Steve Trussoni

Janice Coggins

Caroline Ostrander

Mary (Moran) Orvis 

Marian Beall

Ron Becwar

Jenna Friar

Maria Camacho

Bob Wharton

Jeri Gorman

Loyde Beers

Lisa Glass

Greg Roth

Lynn Kane

Kiara Meier

Royce Havlik

Shay Vought

Del Bolin

Tom Gillette

Rita Helgerson

Jeff Croke

Joyce Fisher

Loretto Berghoff

Marvin Hansen

Claudia Safley

Eve Trussoni

Rob Donohue

Larry Boehm

Todd Safley

John & Betty Lynch

Ben Huebsch

Joshua Ecklund

William Wright

Jim Greene

Gene & Mary Murphy

Fran Leach

Jerry Boehm

Phyllis Bell

Donnie Moran

Jess Zimple

Alan Whitby

Jeanette Wallenhorst

Susan Monehen

Fr. Zacharie Beya

Shirley Whitby

Jerry Nelson

Sara Triggs

Linda Cowan

Rick Boehm

Don Peterson

Paul Berghoff

Chris Finnell Family

Steve Johnsrude

Beth Scheckel

Danyl Drake

 

 

 

 

 

Men of the Cross “Freedom in Forgiveness” | Mar. 8, 2025 |Blessed Sacrament Church, La Crosse

Our relationship with Christ is many things. He is your refuge, someone to celebrate your joys, mourn with you in your sorrows and is the one to break the chains that bind you and set you free. What are the chains that bind you? The world tries to convince you that the baggage you carry is not too heavy and that you probably deserve to carry that burden. But that is a lie. Christ wants you to be set free. There is Freedom in Forgiveness! You may have forgotten what it feels like to be free. Join men from all over the Diocese of La Crosse and beyond, to experience Freedom in Forgiveness through Mass, inspiring talks, honest discussion and fellowship. The Church needs men to live free, allowing them to help other men break the chains that bind them so they may also live the joy-filled life that Christ wants for us. Details:

What: Men of the Cross: “Freedom in Forgiveness”

Who: All men (High School students who attend with a parent or guardian are free.)

When: Mar. 8, 2025

Where: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, La Crosse, WI

Cost: $30 per person (includes lunch!)

Registration: menofthecross.org

Speakers: Bob Kroll and Dominic Carstens. Mass with Bishop Battersby

 

 Evening of Hope | Feb. 22, 2025 |Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, La Crosse

On Feb. 22, Bishop Battersby will celebrate the 4:30 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. At the end of the Mass, he will impart the Papal Blessing with the attached plenary indulgence. A Holy Hour will follow Mass, during which Bishop Battersby will offer a jubilee reflection on hope. Confessions will also be heard. The event will end with benediction at 7:00 p.m.

 

By the Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby, Bishop of La Crosse

A devout Catholic…

Recently, the Vice-President offered what seems to be a repeated trope these days, viz., the Catholic Church is increasing her financial health by accepting grants from the federal government. Our government asks to use our on the ground expertise to assist migrants. Not only do we not get rich from this association but we actually spend more than any of the government grants contribute. We do what the government won’t or can’t. We don’t ask about a migrant’s status when someone approaches us who is hungry, thirsty or in need of shelter. We serve Christ, following the biblical imperative: whatsoever you do to the least of my people… cf. Matthew 25:40-45). Perhaps you don’t know this, but the Catholic Church is the largest provider of social services in the world, and only second in the United States, behind the federal government. You should be proud of the fact that together by God’s grace we accomplish much in answering the scriptural mandate to love. Cardinal Dolan replied to the Vice President perfectly, he called Vance’s assertion, a scurrilous lie. As I told Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene who made a similar accusation, the Church is not in charge of the border, the federal government is, time to quit the sleight of hand Congress and do your job.

What intrigued me was not the accusation from the Vice-President but the assertion that, and this somehow justified their positions, they were devout Catholics. President Biden repeatedly asserted this about himself. It seems to me to be a rather unusual thing to say about oneself, kind of like asserting that you’re extraordinarily handsome. The appellation so it would seem come from others who viewed repeatedly one’s integrity as a Catholic man or woman. Being a devout Catholic would seem to be a good thing to aim for in the life of discipleship, but is it? The only degree in the life of a Catholic is sanctity. There are saints, that is, those set apart for Christ and on the path of sanctity and those who by their own choices are not. Being a devout Catholic is simply being Catholic, only heroism whose ardor is given by God, sets one apart as an exemplar of discipleship, that’s what we call a saint. Each of us are called to be saints, it is said, it is the only real tragedy in life if we do not become so.

The people in my life who taught me the most about the journey of faith, taught me that it was not about them, not about me, it was about Jesus. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, without him we can do nothing (cf. John 15:5). Let Jesus make you a saint. Your job and mine is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, to surrender to him that his plan may be accomplished in us, to say in wonder and with some trepidation with St. Peter: to whom shall we go Lord, you have the words of everlasting life (cf. John 6:68). To be a Catholic is a great gift from God. It is given to us so that you and I might be witnesses for others sake. Jesus gives a rather powerful commandment to those who profess their love for him: if you love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15). Let’s keep his commandments for love of him, lets forsake all other paths as good as they might seem, let’s become the saints we’re called to be, let’s be Catholic.